Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 1st, 2022 4:28PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Brian Webster,
Recent snow has refreshed the skiing in most areas. The biggest concern is fresh windslabs as you transition into the alpine.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Cold air will continue through Wednesday and then start to warm up on Thursday. Valley bottom temps on Wednesday in Lake Louise will be -15. Flurries forecast for Thursday, but little accumulation. Ridgetop winds will pick up Wed afternoon into the mod to strong range.
Snowpack Summary
15-25 cm low density storm snow creating small windslabs in alpine and some treeline locations. Storm snow overrides a variety of surfaces including sun crusts, faceted snow and isolated areas of surface hoar. The Dec 2 crust/facet layer is down 70-120 cm and is producing variable shears.
Avalanche Summary
One storm slab (size 2) observed in Flow Lake area in Kootenay on Tuesday. Ski hills reported several small natural and explosive triggered windslabs.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Fresh windslabs can be expected in alpine lee areas.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This problem represents both the Dec. 2nd crust/ facet layer (treeline and below) and the late December facet layer. We have not seen much recent activity on this layer however we continue to monitor it carefully.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 2nd, 2022 4:00PM
